Think the Grand Rapids Art Museum Is Just for Looking? Think Again, It’s Hands On and Kid Friendly

Family Friendly Guide to the Grand Rapids Art Museum

If your kids hear “art museum” and immediately picture shhhhhhh, don’t touch that, we have good news: the Grand Rapids Art Museum is not asking your family to quietly shuffle from painting to painting.

In fact, GRAM has been making its galleries a whole lot more hands on, playful and approachable for families. There are plenty of ways for kids to explore, make, move and create while visiting.

As one of Grand Rapids best things to do, the Grand Rapids Art Museum (GRAM), located downtown by Rosa Parks Circle, houses amazing works of art year-round to enjoy.

GRAM boasts a stunningly beautiful interior, rotating exhibits, family programs, a creative learning center, and drop in studios. The whole family is finding that visiting in the heart of the city, is a perfect place to introduce even little ones, to the world of art.

Let us help shed some light on why the GRAM might become your new go-to family outing in the city.

Every Floor Is For You

The beautiful thing about GRAM is that every floor has hands on interactive, from the lobby to the collection galleries.

Their focus is to get visitors to pause, slow down and engage in a way thats approachable.

Art at the GRAM is less about skill, but playing with big ideas and using art as a way of exploring creativity.

Start in the Creative Learning Center

One of the easiest places to jump into hands on activities is the Creative Learning Center. This space was recently updated in 2023.

It is both a studio space and a discovery gallery and is located off the lobby of the main level. It is always open while the museum is open and it contains loads of creative activites.

Drop in Studio

Drop-In Studio is offered every Saturday from 11:00 – 3:00 PM. This is a way to get those creative juices flowing by making your very own artwork, how cool!

GRAM always offers a fresh, new activity each week with all materials provided.

Drop in Studio is free for members and included with admission for those that aren’t.

Where Is Everything?

It’s worth noting that the First & Third Floors house GRAM’s permanent collections.

As the GRAM’s website explains, “From a trove of over 6,000 objects, GRAM’s curators refresh the Museum’s Level III galleries every quarter, presenting visitors with new works and old favorites to experience and enjoy.”

Indeed.

The third floor was recently renovated and houses the majority of GRAM’s permanent pieces. You’ll find everything from medieval to contemporary paintings, as well as some amazing furniture pieces, sculptures, and other mediums, all of which fascinate kids and adults alike.

When you visit, you may notice small school groups of young kids learning about the different artwork; a testament to GRAM’s devotion to inspiring the next generation of artists and art-lovers!

The Second Floor of GRAM houses the Temporary Exhibits. These exhibits are constantly changing. Each season, GRAM brings in new and exciting exhibits and artwork to Grand Rapids. The second floor is mostly devoted to these fascinating exhibits. A schedule of their current and upcoming exhibits can be found here.

What to Know Before You Go to the GRAM

01 – GRAM has Free Days!

One of the best ways GRAM is family-friendly is that admission is completely FREE on Tuesdays (10:00 AM-5:00 PM) and Thursday evenings (5:00 pm-9:00 pm)! They’ve also historically offered free admission during Spring Break.

This means you can easily call it a day if your toddler starts having a meltdown mid-gallery, and you can also keep your trips as short and sweet as you’d like without feeling like you wasted money.

02 – GRAM is Easily Accessible!

GRAM has three floors of artwork, displayed in an airy, bright modern space.

The museum is totally walkable for little legs, all the bathrooms are within convenient proximity (and have step stools near the sinks!), there are ample benches and seats around for breaks, and every new corner has something unique and gaze-worthy displayed.

03- There are Lots of Parking Options

There are plenty of convenient, affordable parking options near the GRAM, including metered parking spaces and garages. (Click here for a printable map that shows the different parking structures nearby.)

When we went during the day, it was no problem finding a metered space right next to the museum. When we went in the evening, we parked at the garage at 99 Monroe.

04 – Places to Enjoy Food & Drinks, Including Food Trucks

Because of the sensitive nature of the artwork, snacks and drinks (including water) are not permitted in the galleries.

When you and your kids are ready for a snack break, you can head to one of three areas: the spacious front lobby, where there are plenty of soft couches and low tables; outside on the large front patio facing Rosa Parks Circle (also a great area for kids to run around and burn off some energy); and in the hall in front of the Museum Store (turn left after the welcome desk), where you’ll find tables and chairs facing huge windows.

There are light food and refreshments available for purchase at the front desk, and on Thursday nights, the bar space is open as well.

05 – GRAM is Stroller Friendly!

The GRAM is stroller-friendly, with convenient, roomy elevators located throughout.

You can also leave your stroller parked to the immediate left of the front entrance, near the coat racks and welcome desk.

Want More GRAM?

The GRAM offers plenty of resources for aspiring artists of all ages:

• Discovery Packs are available at the Visitor Services desk during regular business hours. These self-guided packs can enhance your visit with young kids.
• Parents and teachers can find lesson plans based on current GRAM exhibits. These are fun ways to turn your visit into a little field trip even if your children aren’t in school yet!
• Could there be anything cooler than Summer Camp at the GRAM? I don’t think so! The GRAM offers options for ages 8-15. This would have been a dream come true when I was a kid!

The Big Picture

You don’t have to wait for a rainy day, a school project or a kid who has suddenly decided they’re “into art” to visit the GRAM.

Bring the curious kid, the kid who thinks museums are boring, and bring the one who wants to touch everything. Kids that love to draw, build, ask questions or make up ridiculous stories about paintings.

GRAM has become a place where families can pause, play, explore and create together. And maybe that’s the best way to think about an art museum with kids. You’re not there to teach them everything about art, you’re there to see what they discover.